OPINION: Cardoso must take responsibility for Sundowns’ missed opportunity

There’s no dressing this one up, Miguel Cardoso got it wrong on Saturday afternoon as Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 1-1 draw by Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League final first leg. 

In a match that should have ended in a straightforward win at Loftus Versfeld, Cardoso’s decisions were baffling and ultimately cost Sundowns the chance to carry a proper advantage to Cairo.

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The most glaring error was the premature substitution of Tashreeq Matthews just before half-time. Matthews had been lively and certainly did not deserve to be hauled off so early. A change like that should have been made at the break, if at all. 

Instead, Cardoso publicly embarrassed the player and may have lost him mentally for the return leg. Even Ronwen Williams walked from his goal to console Matthews and that speaks volumes.

Meanwhile, Arthur Sales, who contributed very little, stayed on the pitch until the 78th minute. It’s difficult to justify why the ineffective Brazilian was left on for so long while Matthews was sacrificed.

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After Lucas Ribeiro gave Sundowns the lead in the 54th minute, there was little urgency to kill the game off. Instead, Cardoso’s changes only added confusion. While Peter Shalulile, Neo Maema, and Thapelo Morena are all attacking options, the team strangely tried to defend the slender lead. 

It was tactically incoherent. If the idea was to sit on the 1-0 lead, then Mothobi Mvala and Bathusi Aubaas should have come on to add steel and aerial presence.

Then there’s Themba Zwane who was left unused on the bench. His composure and leadership were sorely missed in a tense finish. Zwane is made for these moments, and Cardoso’s failure to use him is inexcusable after Walid El Karti equalised deep in stoppage time. 

Yes, it’s easy to analyse after the fact, but this was basic game management, and Cardoso got it wrong. With the away goals rule still active, Pyramids hold the upper hand. 

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The Sundowns coach must return to fundamentals quickly or risk letting the Champions League slip away. It’s or never for this current group of players who can’t afford another disappointment in a major final.